Phalacrocorax neglectus
The Bank Cormorant is an endangered species restricted to the Atlantic coastlines of Namibia and South Africa’s Northern and Western Cape Provinces, where an abundance of kelp (sea bamboo) occurs. It has a population estimated at only 2,500 breeding pairs (7,500 individuals), declining from an estimated 9,000 breeding pairs in the 1980’s due to human and seal disturbance at breeding sites and a reduced food supply. Away from the breeding colonies (where they often occur alongside other kinds of cormorant) they’re usually only seen alone or in small groups.
While the Bank Cormorant is strictly a marine species it seldom ventures further from the coastline than 10km seawards, where it catches fish, octopus, lobster, shrimp and other invertebrates by diving up to 30m deep and staying submerged for up to 80 seconds.
Bank Cormorants form monogamous pairs, breeding in small colonies of 20-100 pairs at any time of year. The pair works together to construct the large platform nest of seaweed, sticks and feathers glued together by guano on inaccessible rocks on the shore or on islands. The parents take turns to incubate the clutch of 1-3 eggs over a month-long period. The chicks take flight for the first time when they’re 8-10 weeks old but remain dependent on their parents until they’re about 6 months old. Fully grown they weigh about 2kg, measuring around 76cm in length.
DeWetsWild 
Ek wonder of dit dieselfde soort is wat by Laaiplek en Velddrift voorkom, Dries?
Daar is duisende van hulle!
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In sulke groot getalle is dit waarskynlik die Trek Duiker (Cape Cormorant), Aletta, maar as mens fyn kyk sal jy dalk n Bank Duiker of Kuifkop Duiker tussen hulle sien.
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Sjoe, die kormorante duik diep – 30m! Berto gebruik ‘n tenk om so diep te duik 😄. Jy’t mooi foto’s hier.
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Is dit nie fantasties hoe party diere goed kan regkry wat mense sulke ingewikkelde toerusting voor nodig het om hulle dit na te doen nie!?
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Fabulous photos of the cormorants, Dries. So sad that they’re now endangered. We have them here in Florida and I remember seeing them used by fishermen in China. It did seem cruel to me that they weren’t allowed to swallow the fish they’d caught. 😳
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I am also amazed at the fact that they’d so willingly share their catch!
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Well, they don’t have much choice in the matter. A snare is tied around their necks which makes it impossible to swallow the larger fish. I think they’re able to swallow the little ones though.
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That’s terribly cruel.
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I hope these Bank Cormorants will prosper and multiply!
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Our oceans and shoreline would definitely be poorer without the, Hien.
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5ometimes the scientific name is very apt, Dries. Beautiful bird.
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Maybe we humans would’ve paid more attention if it was called the Neglected Cormorant, hey Tracy?
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I think so, Dries.
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My predictions where any diving birds will pop up are seldom right either – even when looking down on them through the clear water of the Storms River, while standing on the suspension bridge. Interestingly, I have never thought of kelp as sea bamboo!
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I am glad I’m not the only amateur naturalist who gets baffled by cormorants!
Speaking of being baffled, kelp – or sea bamboo – is actually very interesting in itself. I should check if I have enough pictures of it for a post!
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That would be great!
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Beautiful photos of these elegant birds. Such pity they are now endangered.
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It really is a pity that we have such a negative influence on so many species around us, Anne.
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I love cormorants and their ability to stay underwater and then pop up quite a distance from where they went under is a constant source of amazement and amusement to me.
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I always try and predict where they we resurface. I am seldom right…
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